PEOPLE in Sunderland are being put in the picture about changes to the shape of the city council.

A "vox pop" box, in which people can record their views on video tape, will tour the city as part of the consultation campaign Your Choice, Your Campaign.

The council, like many others around the country, is asking residents what form of leadership they would like.

The choices are a leader and cabinet, a mayor and cabinet, and a mayor with a council manager.

Council chief executive Colin Sinclair said: "Residents have until March 6 to give us their views.

"It is vital that people participate, as their comments will be critically-important in deciding which model the council should adopt.

"We are doing everything we can to make the process as accessible as possible.

"We felt that, by using a vox pop box, we could make the process more interactive and get a much better insight into what people are really thinking."

The box will be at Houghton Sports Centre on Monday, February 12, between noon and 3pm; at Hetton Sports Centre the following day, from 4pm to 7pm; at Washington Galleries on Thursday, February 15, between 11am and 3pm; and at The Bridges Shopping Centre, Sunderland, on Friday, February 16, from 11am to 3pm.

Information leaflets, including questionnaires, will be sent to all homes, and residents can record their views on the website www.yourcouncil-yourchoice.com

Firms, voluntary organisations, other public bodies and council employees are also being consulted.

The preferred option will be announced in April.